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Announcements

Spagetti Dinner & Live Auction

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St. Paul Lutheran Church & School, 31 Washington Ave, Batavia, will hold it's Annual Spagetti Dinner & Live Auction on Sat., Feb. 7. Dinner will be served from 5:00 - 7:00. All tickets are $5. Homemade desserts available for an additional cost. Live Auction will follow dinner. Items to be auctioned include, Buffalo Sabre Tickets, Handmade Quilts, Baked Goods and many other items too numerous to mention. Don't miss the fun!

2009 Crop Insurance Meeting

By Jan Beglinger

 

Friday, February 20, 2009
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Niagara County, 4-H Training Center
4487 Lake Avenue (Rt. 78 just north of Lockport)
Agenda:
10:30 am Welcome/introductions: Paul Lehman, CCE, Extension Educator
10:40 Crop insurance policies with March 15th sales closing deadlines, such as corn
(IIP, APH, CRC, GRP), soybeans, dry beans, grain sorghum, oats, processing
snap beans and oats. Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-L). Minimal treatment of
specialty crops - Charles Koines, Consultant
11:25 Break
11:30 Comments from crop insurance representatives
11:40 SURE disaster program - Farm Bill provisions - Jim McNeil, Director, FSAUSDA,
Niagara County; Jim Bittner, Singer Farms
12:30 pm Program ends - lunch
Lunch will be available for those who contact Karen (716-433-8839 x221, or kmk27@cornell.edu) by Feb. 19th.

Music Education Centers at Uncle Andy’s Place Offers Music Instruction programs to students in the Batavia Area

By Philip Anselmo

From Music Education Centers:

Music Education Centers at Uncle Andy's Place is a privately operated organization, dedicated to providing personalized, adaptive musical instruction for students of all ages and abilities; especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and other developmental or learning disabilities. 

Realizing that finding support, understanding and community resources is at times difficult, Music Education Centers provides individuals with another avenue of communication and development.  At Musical Education Centers, the instructors know the importance of working one on one with the students in order to establish a fun, friendly learning environment where students can feel at home while they expand their horizons and develop new skills or uncover hidden talents.

Music Education Centers opened in 2004 under the name Uncle Andy’s Place Music Studios.  Founder and Owner, Christian Schenk, has dedicated the past five years developing the studio into a business that can support the needs of the whole community and not just a few members.  The diagnosis of his son in late 2007 has energized the spirit of a life’s mission that began 12 years ago when he began working with Autistic children in the Greece Central School District. 

The goal of Music Education Centers is to fulfill unmet service needs of the community. Recently, they received many inquiries about community-based group lessons and classes, prompting the development of a new program called Music to You, in which our instructors go to different communities to bring musical activities to those in school, daycare or group-home settings.

At the Webster, NY Location a staff of experienced and caring professionals offer personalized private lessons and group classes to those residing in the Greater Rochester Area.  As of January first, the Music to You Program is available in the Batavia area. 

More information about our program is available on our website, www.MusicEdCenters.com or by calling 585-671-7926.

Tractor and farm machinery saefty course

By Philip Anselmo

Fromthe Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Course instruction and intensive training in tractor and farm machinery safety, leading to certification, is being planned for Saturday mornings in Genesee County beginning on February 14th, 2009.  Classes include general tractor maintenance, safe farm equipment operation and safety issues in general. This training is offered only once a year and is for youth ages, 14-15.  Please call Amy Berry at 343-3040, ext. 106 to register to receive further information about this class when it becomes available.

Last call for nominations for Genesee Community College Alumni Hall of Fame

By Philip Anselmo

From Genesee Community College:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is seeking nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on the community. The Foundation will induct its third group of honorees in a ceremony on March 25, 2009 at the Batavia campus.

"This is our effort to find and honor Genesee Community College's most distinguished graduates, based on their accomplishments," Patti Pacino, Alumni Coordinator noted. "We are proud of our alumni and want to recognize their success."

The criteria for nominating an individual to the College Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's alumni website (http://www.genesee.edu/portals/alumni/halloffame.cfm) and emailed or sent to the Genesee Community College Alumni Office.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. All nominations received by January 12th will be considered by the Selection Committee. New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building. The next induction ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2009.

Genesee Community College's Alumni Hall of Fame inductees currently include: Joseph H. Bell, GCC '79, vice president of Global Process and Product Integrity at Moog, Inc. and managing director for Moog operations in Bangalore, India; Monica H. Dawson, GCC '72; co-owner and secretary/treasurer of Shepard, Maxwell and Hale Insurance Agency; Jerry Reinhart, GCC '71, founder of Access Rentals and president of Reinhart Enterprises, Inc.; Paula Savage, GCC '76, director of tourism for the Greater Rochester Visitors Association; Lori Stupp, GCC'89, regional director of United Way and a member of the AAA Speakers Bureau; Peggy Weissend, GCC '99, registered Community Health nurse with the Genesee County Health Department; Ann M. Bell, GCC '88, retired executive director of the Genesee Region Independent Living Center; Steven G. Hyde, GCC '82, president and CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center; and Gary T. Maha, GCC '76, Sheriff of Genesee County.

International Psychic to Make Rare Appearance at Batavia Days Inn

By Philip Anselmo

From A to Z Entertainment:

Internationally known psychic, Lady Anne Silberstein will be making a rare appearance at the Batavia Days Inn (US Thruway Exit 48) on Saturday, January 10th, 2009. Along with other national psychics, clairvoyants, mediums, Tarot Card Readers and Palmists, Lady Anne who stopped working the professional Psychic circuit shortly after her husband, psychic-attorney Hugh Samuel Silberstein, passed away, in 1994, has chosen Psychic Faire Internationale's event at the Days Inn to once again offer new clients, professional tape-recorded Psychic consultations. With over eighteen years experience touring the US and Canada, both participating in Faires as well as an extensive private practice in New York, Lady Anne's outstanding career as the founder of the Village Gate Psychic Center in 1991 and the Psychic and Metaphysical Center of Rochester in 1995 have added to her unblemished reputation as a caring and reputable psychic. She will be available Saturday only, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Days Inn, Batavia. Pre-booking appointments are highly recommended at (585) 301-0275.

Richmond Memorial: Mystery Lovers' Mondays

By Philip Anselmo

From Richmond Memorial Library:

Mystery Lovers’ Mondays, a book discussion group for adults, will meet on Monday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia.  The book to be discussed is SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD by P.L. Gaus, which is also the selected title for “A Tale for Three Counties” 2009.  Copies of the book may be borrowed at the front desk.   For more information, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 8 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.

New York State School for the Blind hosts Community Days

By Philip Anselmo

From the School for the Blind:

On January 28, 2009 the New York State School for the Blind will host a Community Day in celebration of the School’s 140th Anniversary. The Community Day will be open to the public from 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.  The event will feature a variety of activities including a “Glimpses of Our Past” slide show, hourly tours, and activities with the goal of the participants gaining an understanding of individuals with visual impairments.

City Council will meet Saturday for budget review session

By Philip Anselmo

From the City of Batavia:

Please be advised that Batavia City Council will hold a budget work session on Saturday,
January 10, 2009.  The meeting will be from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in the Council Board Room on the second floor of City Hall.

Lost Dogs

By Ruth Smith

Two beagles missing since Friday, Jan 2. Large male beagle and a small female beagle. Last seen Putnam/Creek Road area, south of Batavia. Any info appreciated. Reward. Please call (585) 344-0787

Jammin' for Jen: Raising funds for a community member in need

By Philip Anselmo

We received the following notice from the Friends of Jennifer:

    Jennifer Bobzin was in a serious accident with a tractor trailer on Monday, October 20, 2008 around 1 p.m.  She was put into a coma by the doctors to perform a Bifrontal Craniectomy (part of her skull cap was removed to make room for swelling of the brain), the surgery was finished around 730 p.m. Monday night. The injuries sustained in the accident were mainly to her face and head. She has several facial fractures and trauma to her head/brain, with bleeding.
    Jennifer was transferred to St. Mary’s Brain Injury Unit on November 13th for rehabilitation.  She is doing well and has even progressed to being able to come home for occasional day visits.
    Jennifer is a single mom, and recently purchased her first home for herself, her mother and her boys.  Due to the accident and the extent of her injuries, the financial situation is poor.
    In an effort to help with the many medical and everyday expenses, her friends have planned a benefit dinner and concert for
January 24, 2008.  The benefit will feature four live bands, dinner, a Chinese auction, door prizes, raffles and a live auction as well.  We are planning on about 400 people.  We are currently seeking donations from area businesses for items to use in the auctions and raffles.  We are also looking for donations of food items or monetary donations to offset the cost of the dinner.
    For more information you can check out the websites that have been set up for Jennifer.  www.caringbridge.org/visit/jenniferbobzin is the website that has been tracking her progress with daily updates and a guestbook that can be signed, and www.myspace.com/jamminforjen has been set up to promote the benefit.   Businesses will be promoted on the my space website as well as area radio stations and newspapers.
If you need to contact someone, please feel free to call Jennifer’s sister Shari at 585-813-7675.  Donations can be mailed to Shari Loewke at 6664 Townline Road Byron, NY 14422.

Thank you,
Friends of Jennifer

And the winner is--------------

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Dave Moscicki was the winner of the TV raffled by Sears and Genesee County Habitat for Humanity. A big thanks to all that bought tickets to support Habitat.

Heidi Parker sold the winning ticket and Tammy Phillips drew the winning ticket. Tami will be the newest Habitat home owner as soon as the rehab at 6 Columbia Ave. is complete.

GASA 2009 Registration Goes Green

By Mike Freeman

The Genesee Amateur Soccer Association is pleased to announce that open registration for the 2009 season has begun.

GASA is also excited to announce that we are going green. There will be no paper registration forms mailed to players this year. Instead, GASA is developing a new website that will allow registration and payment via the Internet.  Details will be posted on our current website www.eteamz.com/gasabatavia.

GASA is a recreational soccer club with players from Batavia and surrounding towns.  About 500 kids age 5 to 19 participate in several different age divisions.  Teams in the younger divisions (5-10 yrs) practice and play all their games in Batavia.  GASA is a member of the Genesee Youth Soccer League for the older, travel divisions along with clubs from other towns in the area.

The 2009 season will run from May through July 2009.

Walk in registration will take place on Friday January 9 from 5:30 - 7:30PM and again on Saturday January 10 from 10AM to 2PM at John Kennedy School in Batavia.

The fees have not increased from 2008 and we still offer discounts for families with multiple registrants.

Sample uniforms will be available to preview. Members of the GASA board and coaching staff will be on hand to answer your questions.

Questions may be emailed to gasabatavia@yahoo.com

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Mike Ranzenhofer to take oath of office in Batavia

By Jerome Grasso

New York Stae Senator-elect (61st), Mike Ranzenhofer will take his oath of office in Batavia on December 30th.  He will be sworn in by Judge Robert Noonan at the Genesee County Court Facility at 1:30 pm.  A short reception will follow. All are welcome. Please contact Jay Grasso at 703-0920 or hopejay@frontiernet.net if you have any questions.    

Musician Otis Taylor to Bring Blues and Banjos to Genesee

By Philip Anselmo

From Genesee Community College:

Arguably the most relevant blues artist of our time (Guitar Player magazine), Otis Taylor brings his unique instrumentation and sound to Genesee Community College on Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 PM in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at the Batavia campus. Now promoting his latest album, Recapturing the Banjo, this critically-acclaimed singer and songwriter captivates audiences with his original music and poignant storytelling.

Taylor was born in Chicago in 1948 to a family that embraced music and was surrounded by jazz performers and musicians. After the death of his uncle, his family moved to Denver where he was allowed to let his love of blues and folk music blossom. Taylor learned to play guitar and harmonica, and by his mid-teens was performing in his first band. He went on to perform in London, but soon returned to the United States in the late 1960's to work on many musical projects with various blues artists. In 1977, Taylor decided to take a break from the music business and went on to be a successful antiques dealer, as well as coaching an amateur bicycling team.

After much persuasion from his fellow musicians, Taylor returned to music in 1995. He released his first album two years later, titled Blue Eyed Monster, which the blues world embraced and admired. Now promoting his eighth album, Recapturing the Banjo, he is part-musician and part-storyteller taking his audiences on an emotional journey of truth and relevance in history. His original lyrics and haunting voice weave a story of pain, joy and the human condition.

"Bringing Otis Taylor to Genesee Center for the Arts continues the College's long-standing tradition of hosting some of the world's best blues artists," Frank Mayo, professor of speech and theatre arts said. "Genesee's Stuart Steiner Theatre is a perfect venue for this kind of performance offering exceptional acoustics, as well as an intimate setting. Western New York is in for a real treat."

Besides being an award winning singer and songwriter, Otis Taylor finds time to give back to the communities that support music in children and young adults. Taylor, along with his wife Carol, have taken on a Blues in the School program called "Writing the Blues." The program consists of visits to schools and universities around the country to advise, enlighten, motivate and educate about the blues. Taylor now resides in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two daughters. For further information on Otis Taylor or press photographs, visit www.otistaylor.com.

One performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 8:00 PM in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at the Batavia campus. General admission ticket prices are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, senior citizens and Genesee faculty/students. Members of the Western New York Blues Society will receive a $2.00 discount by showing their current membership card.

For ticket information or reservations, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at (585) 343-0055 x6814, or by email at boxoffice@genesee.edu. The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash and checks only; credit cards are not accepted. For door-to-door directions, sent via email, visit www.genesee.edu.

Mayhem Riders-new motorcycle club in batavia to host poker runs to benefit area charitys

By chris johnson

Mayhem Riders

we are a new motorcycle club in the batavia area,we have members from all over western new york.we currently have 18 members and we are growing everyday.we are accepting new members.this is our first year,we have 2 runs planned for 2009.on june 21 2009 -autumn run,to benefit the ronald mcdonald house in rochester.on july 18 2009 bikers for hope poker run to benefit the con kurr cancer foundation.please go to our website,to learn more about the club,and visit the links for these great charitys.we are also looking for volunteers for these events to man sign in tables and other dutys.we are also looking for donations for raffles at both these events.all of the proceeds go directly to these charitys and the money stays in this area to help our own.

http://www.mayhemriders.com

webmaster@mayhemriders.com

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82nd Airborne Distributes Gifts to Veterans

By Philip Anselmo

From the VA Medical Center:

In the giving spirit of the holidays, members of the 82nd Airborne Niagara Frontier Chapter will be distributing gifts to patient units at the Buffalo VA, 3495 Bailey Avenue.  The gift distribution will take place on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25 at 1:30 pm.  The group will sing carols along with accordionist as they visit patient units.

New hope for live music in Batavia

By Philip Anselmo

Hot Shots Coffee on Harvester Avenue has some great news for live music fans in Genesee County. From the release:

There is new hope for entertainment in Batavia. Other than at bars, there are not many concerts to speak of in our small city. Especially in the winter. On Saturday,January 24th, 6:30pm HOT SHOTS COFFEE at 56 Harvester ave. will be host to an alcohol free concert open to all ages. The Headlining band responsible for setting up the show, is Batavia's own RADIO RELAPSE, a modern rock coverband made up of the cream of Batavia's young talent. By young I mean mid 20's. There will also be an opening act t.b.a. RADIO RELAPSE is in support of seeing the local music scene flourish.  Entertainment is the spice of any city.

Smoke Free NOW Genesee Meeting at Bohn's Restaurant

By Kevin Keenan

 

Smoke Free NOW is funded by the NYS Department of Health Tobacco Control Program and is dedicated to reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. The coalition meetings are open to the public; anyone who supports our goals and objectives is welcome.
Smoke Free NOW works to promote policy changes about tobacco issues within local municipalities, businesses, organizations, events and venues.
Current initiatives include:
Policy: Asking Organizations, Businesses, Events, and Venues to not accept tobacco advertising, sponsorship, promotion or funding .
Organization Resolution: Asking Organizations, Businesses, Events and Venues to urge tobacco retailers to reduce, rearrange, or eliminate tobacco signs (research shows that kids exposed to advertising are more likely to start smoking).
Municipal Resolution: Asking municipalities to pass a resolution urging tobacco retailers to reduce, rearrange, or eliminate tobacco signs.
Smoke Free Apartments : Asking Landlord/Managers to establish a written policy that their apartments are smoke-free.
 Smoke free now also urges smokers to go to www.nysmokefree.com to get information about quitting smoking and to see if you are eligible for free NRT (nicotine replacement therapy; gum, patches, or lozenges)
For more information please go to our website www.smokefreenow.org   or www.exposebigtobacco.org
  NOTE: You must register to attend: 585-815-1871 or clewis@gcasa.org

Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County

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With a donation to Habitat , you could be the winner of this TV. (the

New Year's Eve ball will not drop on the TV)  Genesee County

Habitat for Humanity will be in their 10th. year in 2009. We will be

completing our 7th. house.  Volunteers are always welcome.

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